Bicycle-bell



Unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTIN L. TAVEAU, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

BICYCLE-BELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 595,220, dated December *7, 1897.

Application filed November 14, 1896. Serial Nil-612,071. (N0 model.)

To all whont it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTIN L. TAVEAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bells for Bicycles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved bell for bicycles.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction whereby a bell with an exterior circular revoluble hammercarrier may be brought in contact with the tire of the wheel whenever it is desired to sound the bell.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a portion of a bicycle with my improved bell over the wheel-tire in position to be sounded. Fig. 2 is a top plan view, on a larger scale, of the bell device. Fig. 3 is a diametrical section of the bell device. Fig. 4 shows two views of one bell. Fig. 5 shows two views of one of the cupshaped hammer-carriers. Fig. 6 shows a bell with a modified form of inward-bent lug.

Two small bells A A of the gong pattern are employed, and these have position with the cup sides confronting each other, but the two bells are separated by the central part of the revoluble hammer-carrier.

The bells are stamped up from sheet metal instead of cast, and each has a central eXterior swell Z) with a hole 0 through it and on the interior has an annular face 5 around the hole. The rim of each bell has an inward-bent lug or projection d, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4c. This lug is formed on the bell by pressing the metal inward with a suitable tool and leaving a depressiond on the exterior. By thus making the bell of sheet metal stamped up by means of dies and forming an inward-projecting lug cl on the rim by producing adepression on the exterior a product or article may be turned out that is both good and cheap.

The circular hammer-carrier comprises a wheel part or rim 0 and two cup-shaped disks F, forming the center of said rim. One of these cup-shaped disks is shown separately in Fig. 5. Each disk has a lateral rim g, a

central hub-flange h, projecting in the same direction as the rim, and a circular raised surface i centrally around said hub-flange. An annular face 7' constitutes the base of the cup. The side of the disk where the lateral rim and hub-flange are constitutes the cup shape referred to. On the opposite side is a cavity 70, corresponding to the said circular raised surface 2'. Two of these disks F are placed together, with their annular faces j in contact, and the two are secured by rivets Z through holes Z in said faces. The two cavities 7c thus form a central chamber. (See Fig. 3.) The two lateral rims g project in opposite direction and form the rim of a wheel, but to cover and unite these two rims a band or tire m is fitted around both, said band having its two edges folded inwardly and each forming a hook at a, each of which takes over the edge of one of the said lateral rims g.

A central tube 0 extends through the two hub-flanges h and fits within them tightly and is suitably secured by solder or other means, such as a pin 1:). A spindle q does not revolve, but passes loosely through the central tube 0, so as to allow said tube, the two cup-shaped disks, and the band or tire to revolve. This spindle has reduced ends q and a shoulder where the reduction of the end commences. The reduced ends q project through the holes 0 in the two bells A A, and the internal annular face I) of each bell bears against one of the shoulders g on the spindle, and a nut r on each reduced end confines the bell tightly against the said shoulder.

The ends of the central tube 0 are not designed to bear tightly against the interior of the bells at the annular faces I), but, on the contrary, this central tube is to be free or unconfined on the spindle, so that said tube may revolve while the spindle and bells remain stationary.

The circular rim or wheel part (designated C) is broad and surrounds and covers the circular part of the'bells. Of course the breadth of this rim may be varied. In Fig. 3 it is shown somewhat broader than in Fig. 2, but it may be narrower relative to the size of the bells than shown in either figure. When broad, it guards the bells from splashing mud.

Loose hammers s are provided and are mounted on the circular raised surface 2' of the revoluble cup-shaped disks F, so as to strike the inward-bent lugs (Z on the bells at each revolution of-the hammer-carrier. These loose hammers may vary in their construction from those here shown. In the present instance each hammer consists of a small disk or ring 3, loose on a pin t, fixed on the cupshaped disk. When the circular rim or band m is caused to revolve rapidly and continuously, the centrifugal action will throw the loose hammers s outward, and said hammers thereby strike the inward-projecting lugs 61 on the bells and sound them.

The bells and the revoluble hammer-carrier are mounted in a suitable holder to, such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This holder has two prongs or arms "0, which take on either side of the bell device, one of the prongs taking over each screw end q and bearing against the raised face I) on each bell, and the nut already mentioned, confining the prongs to their position. A cross-bar o unites the two prongs, and the latter are pivoted at v to a collar w,- which is clamped around the post a; or front prong of the bicycle. It will now be understood that the holder, which at one end carries the bell device, is pivoted at the other end, so as to raise and lower the bell device and thereby normally sustain said bell device elevated above the pneumatic tire y, or, when the bell is to be sounded, allow it to lower and bring the circular hammer-carrier C in contact with the revolving tire.

Any suitable means may be employed to enable the rider of the bicycle to raise and lower the bell device and its holder. In this instance a cord 2 connects with a bail r attached to the spindle end g. This cord extends up the front part of the bicycle-frame and is attached to a vertically-sliding bolt .2, movable in bearings on a clip Z2, secured to the post so. A spring 2 keeps the bolt normally elevated and the bell normally raised, so that the circular rim will not contact with the pneumatic tire. By pressing the springbolt down the circular revoluble rim will contact with the pneumatic tire and the bells will sound so long as the bicycle is running. It is to be understood that hammers to strike the bell of different form and construction may be used; also, a differently-constructed holder to raise and lower the bell and its circular hammer-carrier may be used. Furthermore, one bell instead of two may be employed with the several features of my invention.

Fig. 6 shows a modification in the construction of the inward-bent lug on the stamped-up bell. In this figure the lug or projection comprises a tang or point d on the rim edge, and said tang bent inward, as shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a bicycle-bell, the combination of two bells having position with their cup sides 0011- fronting each other; two struck-up disks se'- cured together and mounted between said two bells; a circular rim larger than said bells and secured to the said two disks; and loose or movable hammers operated by the revolution of said two disks, whereby the circular rim and two disks may revolve continuously and the bells be sounded.

2. In a bicycle-bell, the combination of a fixed spindle having each end reduced and a shoulder where the reduction commences; two bells, each secured on one of the reduced ends of the spindle and bearing against the said shoulders; two disks secured together and revoluble on said spindle between the bells; a circular rim larger than said bells and secured to the disks; and hammers to strike the bells, said hammers being operated by the revolution of the circular rim and disks.

3. In a bicycle-bell, the combination of a fixed spindle; two 'bells each secured on an opposite end of the spindle; two cup-shaped disks each having a hub part and a rim larger than said bells and mounted on the spindle; and hammers which are caused to strike the bells by the revolution of the said disks.

4. In a bicycle-bell, the combination of a fixed spindle; two bells each secured on an opposite end of the spindle; two cup-shaped disks each having a hub part and a rim larger than said bells and mounted on the spindle; a band or tire having on each circular edge a hook which takes over the rim edge of said disks and thereby covers and unites them; and hammers which are caused to strike the bells by the revolution of the said disks.

5. In a bicycle-bell, the combination of a fixed spindle; two bells each secured with their cup sides confronting each other on an opposite end of the spindle; two cup-shaped disks each having ahub and a raised surface, 01, centrally around said hub; hammers mounted on said raised surface; and a circular rim secured to said disks, said rim being larger than thebells.

6. A sheet-metal bell formed into shape and having on its rim a lug bent inward by forming on the exterior of the rim a depression in combination with a revoluble circular rim larger than said bell, and a hammer carried by the said rim to strike against the said lug.

7. In a bicycle-bell, the combination of a spindle; two bells each at an opposite end of the spindle; two disks between the bells each mounted on the spindle and of greater diameter than said bells; and a band or tire which covers the rims of said two disks.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTIN L. TAVEAU.

Witnesses:

CHARLES B. MANN, J r., CHAPIN A. FERGUSON. 

